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YOUR WASHINGTON
AND YOU!
A WEEKLY
REPORT from
KARL MUNDT
SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
"FOR A FAIR CHANCE FOR A FREE PEOPLE"
VOLUME XVI (1954) NUMBER 9 - FOR RELEASE MARCH 10 OR AFTER
ONCE AGAIN — PAGE HENRY CLAY! So many letters of inquiry
have come in requesting the behind-the-scenes facts on the
Zwicker-Stevens -McCarthy affair and wanting to know whether
once again assumed the role of peacemaker, I am herewith reviewing my part in the events leading to a final settlement
which appears to be constructive in nature.
Enroute to Valley Forge, Pa., with Army Secretary Stevens
--where we both were to receive our Freedoms Foundation Awards,
I suggested to Bob Stevens the possibility of having a "conference to bring about a meeting of minds" instead of the scheduled public TV Hearing, which I felt might result in a
reverberating row, with Uncle Sam the most likely loser in a forensic bout which would
produce no winner. Upon my return to Washington, I called Senator Joe McCarthy and
Senator Everett Dirksen to a conference in my office to suggest the committee conference
approach. They both agreed. I then called Bob Stevens, asking him to the now famous
"fried chicken luncheon" which he was happy to attend.
At the luncheon conference, Stevens and McCarthy aired their differences before
Senators Dirksen, Senator Charles Potter (R-Mich.) and me. We discussed the past difficulties, present problems and future procedures for two hours--after which a Memo of
Understanding was drawn up among us and unanimously agreed to. Each man at the conference,
including Stevens, contributed to writing the Memo and its final form was approved by all
of us. Hands were shaken, pictures were taken, the Memo was read by me to the press and
the radio in the presence of the other three conferees, and we all agreed that the TV
Hearing was now unnecessary.
The Memo was neither a victory of a defeat for either McCarthy or Stevens--it was
not a capitulation but a compromise. It was generally understood by all that army
officers (and all other witnesses) were entitled to, and would, receive proper treatment
by the Committee--and that army officers would appear without having to be subpoenaed and
would testify as friendly, cooperative witnesses to the best of their ability and authority
on matters involving charges of dishonesty or disloyalty in the Army.
Dismayed by this "Happy Ending" and the fact the TV Hearing was cancelled, left-wing
news and radio men who had expected that Hearing to drive an open wedge between McCarthy
and the Administration, turned viciously on Stevens, accusing him of cowardice, capitulation, of "walking out on the army" and other completely unmerited actions. For a time,
it appeared our Memo of Understanding would become a Memo of Misunderstanding!
Stevens, who is a fine citizen and an able public official, understandingly reacted
to the tidal waves of criticism. He called me at a private dinner late at night to indicate he would resign rather than take such personal abuse. I urged him to "sit it out";
told him we would work with him in any way to correct any impression he had capitulated;
and secured his promise NOT TO RESIGN--at least, not until he had a talk with me next day.
Next day, under Senator Dirksen's leadership, we tried to write a news release rejecting the angles the left-wingers had placed on the actions of Stevens. Senators Dirksen,
Potter, McCarthy and I agreed on a statement--but it was then decided a better approach
would be for Stevens himself to issue the statement which he then made about 6 p.m. on
Thursday, Feburary 25.
Following that statement--except for a denial that General Zwicker was refused
counsel--the statements were terminated and the future procedures assured on the basis
of the Memo of Understanding and the informal assurances which all parties understood as
prevailing in the friendly atmosphere of the "chicken luncheon". Not having heard the
Zwicker testimony in New York, and being in a neutral corner, consequently I was able to
urge both factions to "give and take a little" so a satisfactory compromise was reached.
The final results augur BAD for Communists anywhere and GOOD for Americans everywhere. Out of it also came an appreciation by Executive Departments that a Congressional
subpoena is a vested right of the Legislative branch of Government which must be preserved
--and by Committee members that intemperate language, even in Executive Hearings, does
more harm than good and helps to conceal much more than it serves to clarify.
In addition, I learned an additional, individual lesson: To-wit--the ways of a
peacemaker are sometimes rougher, by far, than those of an antagonist!!
STILL AVAILABLE. The technicolor movie film of President Eisenhower's inauguration is
still available for showing to South Dakota schools, civic clubs, meetings, etc. Already
shown in nearly 100 communities, the film can be obtained free of charge by writing
F. A. Strand, Executive Secretary, South Dakota Education Association, 218 South Main,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
GOOD NEWS--Interior Secretary Douglas McKay has accepted my invitation, on behalf of S.D.
Stockgrowers Association, to be in Hot Springs, on June 7 for their annual convention-
Vice President Nixon has personally assured me he will be in Huron, on September 18 for
the State Young Republican Convention.

The work from which this copy was made did not include a formal copyright notice. This work may be protected by U.S. copyright law (Title 17, United States Code), which governs reproduction, distribution, public display, and other uses of protected works. Some uses may be legal with permission from the copyright holder, if the copyright on the work has expired, or if the use is fair use or compliance with the law. All use of DLSD material and content, whether utilized under fair use or used with written permission to publish, must name the Karl E. Mundt Historical & Educational Foundation, Karl E. Mundt Library, Dakota State University, as the original source for the material.

The work from which this copy was made did not include a formal copyright notice. This work may be protected by U.S. copyright law (Title 17, United States Code), which governs reproduction, distribution, public display, and other uses of protected works. Some uses may be legal with permission from the copyright holder, if the copyright on the work has expired, or if the use is fair use or compliance with the law. All use of DLSD material and content, whether utilized under fair use or used with written permission to publish, must name the Karl E. Mundt Historical & Educational Foundation, Karl E. Mundt Library, Dakota State University, as the original source for the material.

Date Digitized

2009-07-06

Transcript

YOUR WASHINGTON
AND YOU!
A WEEKLY
REPORT from
KARL MUNDT
SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
"FOR A FAIR CHANCE FOR A FREE PEOPLE"
VOLUME XVI (1954) NUMBER 9 - FOR RELEASE MARCH 10 OR AFTER
ONCE AGAIN — PAGE HENRY CLAY! So many letters of inquiry
have come in requesting the behind-the-scenes facts on the
Zwicker-Stevens -McCarthy affair and wanting to know whether
once again assumed the role of peacemaker, I am herewith reviewing my part in the events leading to a final settlement
which appears to be constructive in nature.
Enroute to Valley Forge, Pa., with Army Secretary Stevens
--where we both were to receive our Freedoms Foundation Awards,
I suggested to Bob Stevens the possibility of having a "conference to bring about a meeting of minds" instead of the scheduled public TV Hearing, which I felt might result in a
reverberating row, with Uncle Sam the most likely loser in a forensic bout which would
produce no winner. Upon my return to Washington, I called Senator Joe McCarthy and
Senator Everett Dirksen to a conference in my office to suggest the committee conference
approach. They both agreed. I then called Bob Stevens, asking him to the now famous
"fried chicken luncheon" which he was happy to attend.
At the luncheon conference, Stevens and McCarthy aired their differences before
Senators Dirksen, Senator Charles Potter (R-Mich.) and me. We discussed the past difficulties, present problems and future procedures for two hours--after which a Memo of
Understanding was drawn up among us and unanimously agreed to. Each man at the conference,
including Stevens, contributed to writing the Memo and its final form was approved by all
of us. Hands were shaken, pictures were taken, the Memo was read by me to the press and
the radio in the presence of the other three conferees, and we all agreed that the TV
Hearing was now unnecessary.
The Memo was neither a victory of a defeat for either McCarthy or Stevens--it was
not a capitulation but a compromise. It was generally understood by all that army
officers (and all other witnesses) were entitled to, and would, receive proper treatment
by the Committee--and that army officers would appear without having to be subpoenaed and
would testify as friendly, cooperative witnesses to the best of their ability and authority
on matters involving charges of dishonesty or disloyalty in the Army.
Dismayed by this "Happy Ending" and the fact the TV Hearing was cancelled, left-wing
news and radio men who had expected that Hearing to drive an open wedge between McCarthy
and the Administration, turned viciously on Stevens, accusing him of cowardice, capitulation, of "walking out on the army" and other completely unmerited actions. For a time,
it appeared our Memo of Understanding would become a Memo of Misunderstanding!
Stevens, who is a fine citizen and an able public official, understandingly reacted
to the tidal waves of criticism. He called me at a private dinner late at night to indicate he would resign rather than take such personal abuse. I urged him to "sit it out";
told him we would work with him in any way to correct any impression he had capitulated;
and secured his promise NOT TO RESIGN--at least, not until he had a talk with me next day.
Next day, under Senator Dirksen's leadership, we tried to write a news release rejecting the angles the left-wingers had placed on the actions of Stevens. Senators Dirksen,
Potter, McCarthy and I agreed on a statement--but it was then decided a better approach
would be for Stevens himself to issue the statement which he then made about 6 p.m. on
Thursday, Feburary 25.
Following that statement--except for a denial that General Zwicker was refused
counsel--the statements were terminated and the future procedures assured on the basis
of the Memo of Understanding and the informal assurances which all parties understood as
prevailing in the friendly atmosphere of the "chicken luncheon". Not having heard the
Zwicker testimony in New York, and being in a neutral corner, consequently I was able to
urge both factions to "give and take a little" so a satisfactory compromise was reached.
The final results augur BAD for Communists anywhere and GOOD for Americans everywhere. Out of it also came an appreciation by Executive Departments that a Congressional
subpoena is a vested right of the Legislative branch of Government which must be preserved
--and by Committee members that intemperate language, even in Executive Hearings, does
more harm than good and helps to conceal much more than it serves to clarify.
In addition, I learned an additional, individual lesson: To-wit--the ways of a
peacemaker are sometimes rougher, by far, than those of an antagonist!!
STILL AVAILABLE. The technicolor movie film of President Eisenhower's inauguration is
still available for showing to South Dakota schools, civic clubs, meetings, etc. Already
shown in nearly 100 communities, the film can be obtained free of charge by writing
F. A. Strand, Executive Secretary, South Dakota Education Association, 218 South Main,
Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
GOOD NEWS--Interior Secretary Douglas McKay has accepted my invitation, on behalf of S.D.
Stockgrowers Association, to be in Hot Springs, on June 7 for their annual convention-
Vice President Nixon has personally assured me he will be in Huron, on September 18 for
the State Young Republican Convention.